Myrtle Ernestine Denney

Funeral services for Myrtle Ernestine Denney will be held Friday, September 1, 2017 at 10:00 AM at the Montesoma Baptist Church in Okemah. Interment will follow at the Montesoma Cemetery. Myrtle Ernestine Denney was born November 23, 1920 in Castle, Oklahoma and left this life to be with her Lord, Jesus Christ, Sunday, August 27, 2017 at the age of 96 by natural causes. She lived most of her life in Okemah, Oklahoma and was a residence of Okmulgee, Oklahoma since 2012. Myrtle attended Eufaula Boarding School and later graduated from Okemah High School. She’s held many jobs in her life besides being “Mom” and “Dad” to her six children. She was a “Rosie and the Riveter”, laid floor tile, was a community health representative and retired from the Wrangler Plant in Okemah as a sewing machine operator. Her last job was for the Green Thumb Program at Oakes Elementary and was affectionately known as the Ice Cream Lady. She also took classes to keep busy including basket weaving, beadwork, floral arranging and even woodworking. Myrtle was a lifelong member of Montesoma Baptist Church. She held many positions including Sunday school teacher, a director, a woman’s leader and had a real passion for missions. She was very adamant about being at church on Sunday. Her favorite things were family, her church family, going to Wal-Mart, buying fabric and collecting rocks and plants. She also enjoyed traveling and having lunch at the nutrition center. Late in life, she was bitten by the “acting bug”. Her brother, Bob, started her out in some short plays, then she was in the film The Dawes Commission which played at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. She is preceded in death by her parents, Sunda and Ella Taylor; two sisters, Bertha Yahola and Blanche Alexander and three brothers, Clarence Taylor, Cornelius Taylor and Bob Hicks and one grandson, Randall Denney. Survivors include her six children, Irene Boatwright of McLoud, Oklahoma, Donald Denney of Gallup, New Mexico and wife Maria, Donna Frikken of Tecumseh, Oklahoma and husband Steve, Dave Denney of Chatsworth, California and wife Stacy, Richard Denney of Okmulgee, Oklahoma and Sandy Denny of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; 9 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren who affectionately call her “Grandma Great”. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, church family and friends. Serving as active pallbearers will be Ken Hinkle, Shawn Denney, Josh Hart, Elijah Hart, Jakob Kilgore and Sam Alexander. Honorary bearers include Harold Yahola, Leon Yahola and Thomas Yahola. Services will be under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Home, Okemah and officiated by Rev. Ed Bear and Rev. Jay Downing. In lieu of potted plants, donations may be made to the Montesoma Indian Baptist Church of Okemah. Online condolences may be made at www.ParksBrothersFuneralHome.com.

Myrtle Ernestine Denney

November 23, 1920 - August 27, 2017